Social Media Policy
Purpose of this policy
This policy provides guidance to staff and contractors on the use of social media at work and at home. We aim to respect patient confidentiality, laws relating to medical practice, and professionalism.
Social media definition
Online interactive communities to share information and content, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This practice has a Facebook page. The ‘practice’ refers to the practice principal, dental practitioners, staff and contractors.
Standards for our Facebook page:
The practice does not disclose any patient information without the express consent of the patient. This includes photographs and “de-identified” details of any patient.
The practice does not post any material that is fraudulent, harassing, embarrassing, sexually explicit, obscene, intimidating, defamatory or unlawful.
The practice reserves the right to remove any content at its own discretion.
Social media complies with AHPRA’s Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services and Social Media Policy.
In accordance with point 4 above, testimonials are not posted, and accordingly the “reviews” and “comments” section of our Facebook page has been disabled.
The Facebook page cannot be used by patients to make or confirm appointments or communicate with practice staff and it cannot provide patient-specific dental advice.
All posts with dental content must be approved by the practice principal.
The practice principal is responsible for regularly reviewing content of the Facebook page. In his absence, another member of staff may be appointed to the task.
On employees’ and contractors’ personal social media sites:
Do not identify yourself as working for or at the practice.
Do not refer to the practice, other staff or contractors without their approval. Do not criticise or denigrate the practice, its staff and contractors, or organisations it is professionally associated with.
There should be no photos taken inside the workplace which could capture documents, paperwork, patient charts, or other information protected by privacy law. Do not disclose any patient information without the express consent of the patient.
Do not accept “friend” requests from people you know only as a patient of the practice.
Do not disclose any confidential information relating to practice systems.
Use of social media should not interfere with your work.
Consequences of breach of this policy
Any breach of this social media policy may result in disciplinary action, and in the event of serious misconduct may result in the termination of employment or contract.
Updates to this Policy
This Policy will be reviewed from time to time to take account of new laws and technology, changes to our operations and other necessary developments. Updates will be published on the practice website without notification.
Date:14/01/2023